Moving Towards Independence

1
Moving Towards Independence

• Colonial Leaders Emerge
• Military Operations
• The Question of Independence.
• A Declaration.

2
2nd Continental Congress

• May 1775
• The cream of the Colonial Crop of political
  thinkers
• Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Hancock
  join the list from the 1st Continental Congress.

3
Congress Assumes Control

• Printing of Money
• Post Office
• Committees to negotiate with other countries and
  the Native Americans.
• Establish the Continental Army and Appoints GW to
  lead it.

4
Olive Branch Petition

• A formal request to the king to protect the
  rights of the colonists that were being eroded by
  Parliament.
• Q. What rights were they talking about?
• Q. What is the symbolism behind the Olive Branch?

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No Peace for George
King and Parliament prepare for war.
30,000 German Mercenaries Hired to fight in the
Colonies
King George dislikes olives from the colonies
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News From the Front
Arnold, Allen, and the Green Mountain Gang serve
the Red Coats Crow at Ticonderoga.
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News From the Front
General Montgomery invades Canada and Captures
Montreal.
9
News From the Front
Hero of Ticonderoga attempts capture of Quebec.
Valiant men lay siege to city but to no results.
Arnold wounded and winters in Ticonderoga.
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Washington Assumes Command in Cambridge
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State of the Militia

• Over 20,000 Troops mostly from New England.
• Most lack military skills and training
• Enlistments range from 6 months to 1 year.
• Q. Most of these men are farmers, who is taking
  care of the farm?

12
News From the Front
While troops train in Boston, Knox leads a small
force to recover artillery left at Ft.
Ticonderoga.
13
News From the Front
Key terrain in Boston occupied by Washington.
Knoxs Cannon secretly placed and defenses
constructed in under cover of darkness. British
decide to quit Boston on March 17th
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Coming Attractions
A Move to Independence
Slides for the Week Thomas Jefferson, John
Adams, Abigail Adams, Thomas Paine, and The
Declaration of Independence.